Commentary

Churches change

Posted on
Dec 03, 2018

Churches change about every seven years.

That’s what a long-term pastor told me 30 years ago while I was in seminary. Rick was a visiting fellow on campus as part of his third sabbatical. For 21 years he had served his congregation and was using the sabbatical to prepare for another seven years.

Speak out against 'public charge' rule change

Posted on
Nov 18, 2018

It will only take a few minutes to submit your comments, and it's important that you do so given the current administration's proposed rule that would drastically reshape who we welcome as newcomers to our society. The proposed rule would reshape immigration policy by expanding the definition of who is considered a "public charge," threatening millions of families - many of our neighbors.

The Nuns on the Bus have made it really easy to express our concerns, and we have until Dec. 10 to take action. Submit your comments today opposing the "public charge" rule, and be sure to personalize them with your own faith convictions and stories of people you know and love who will be impacted by the change.

Kevin David Rose

Posted on
Nov 01, 2018

The Alliance family joins congregational partner Cumberland First Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Ind., in mourning the loss of Kevin David Rose, who served the church for 30 years as minister of discipleship and mission.

A hallmark of Kevin's ministry included guiding people to find their own story within God's story. Kevin's creativity for teaching and facilitating this faith story intersection impacted many people. His ministry leadership will be remembered and treasured by those who learned from him – children, youth and adults. This singer, painter, writer, storyteller and lover of theater and travel was adept at sharing the gospel message with relevance and passion. His unwavering commitment to living in the questions of faith—not the solace of easy and pat answers, will always be valued.

Lessons learned bring 'remarkable change'

Thirty years later I have learned a valuable lesson from this game: labor, whether in adulthood careers or childhood schoolwork, requires recess moments. God understands this as well, hence, the Sabbath. As a kid gym and recess were my times to “cut loose” and enjoy myself. As an adult, Sunday worship is such a moment.

Fall Programming

Posted on
Sep 14, 2018

Whether your congregation has a full slate lined up, or you are preparing to open your whole children’s department in a single classroom, fall programming is a vestige of 20th-century American Christianity—and I’m not just talking about the bright colored construction paper stapled to a bulletin board.

Light that helps illuminate the paths

Posted on
Aug 28, 2018

Sisters and brothers of the Alliance of Baptists, we live in a time of injustice and great uncertainty here in Brazil. It is a difficult and complex time, and we can only discern the best paths to follow with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Brazilian church is going through a period of great change. We perceive a numerical growth of neo-Pentecostal denominations that make use of the devices of the “Theology of Prosperity.”

God's Spirit of Reformation is infectious

Posted on
Aug 28, 2018

I caught something during my recent trip overseas. My traveling companions and I were all exposed, and doctors are powerless against our infections. Since our return home, our families, friends and churches are also in danger. Our travel guides knew about the risks but failed to warn us. Now, because of their careless negligence, we are forever burdened with the consequences.

Will we be chaplains of the empire, or chaplains of the resistance?

Posted on
Aug 10, 2018

Two young parents, María and José, left home in the middle of the night, carrying their newborn son, Jèsus. A power-hungry dictator and terrible political situation made it unsafe for the small family to remain at home, and they fled across the border to another country for sanctuary.

Sound familiar? It should. This story from Matthew 2:13-14 has been playing out on the U.S. border for months.

The Sinai-Pentecost moment

Posted on
Jul 28, 2018

In Exodus chapter 20, the children of Israel had recently been liberated from slavery in Egypt, and they gathered at Mount Sinai to hear the word from the Eternal One. They were not assembled to hear the voice of Moses -- even to hear God's voice through Moses -- but rather the whole community was ready to hear God's voice for themselves.

Justice is a verb!

Posted on
Jul 28, 2018

News about the hateful words, policies, and practices of the Trump administration dominate the airwaves. That’s understandable. President Trump’s comments, policies, and practices should be discovered and exposed.

However, we who believe in love and justice should focus more attention on building a counter-movement to the hate, fear, hypocrisy, deceit, and authoritarian mindset that Donald Trump represents, and that is particularly evident among white religious nationalists in U.S. congregations